A PUBLIC square has opened in Toxteth as part of a £9.5m plan to improve Liverpool's streets.

Berkley Place has been built at the junction of Upper Parliament Street and Princes Road.

Around 1,000 residents and workers helped design the scheme and the result is modern alongside historic Georgian terraces and St Nicholas's, the Greek Orthodox Church.

Erika Rushton neighbour-hood director for INclude, the regeneration company for Liverpool 8, said: "The thinking behind Berkley Place is that it reflects the energy of L8 and the confidence of the city centre.

"We think it shows how new design can work alongside architectural heritage.

"This new public space will become host to people who work and live here, using it as a place to meet and eat."

Berkley Place cost around £240,000 and is part of a £9.5m project to improve Liverpool's public realm.

The Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP), set up by Liverpool Vision and run by Liverpool council, is creating new public spaces, upgrading existing public spaces and removing signs of urban decline.

Cllr Peter Millea, Liverpool council's executive member for regeneration, said: "We are planning many more schemes like this across the city, making sure that we are improving residential areas, protecting open spaces and promoting community safety."

The final stage of the EIP will be a public space called Aldham Square on Renshaw Street in the city centre.

The EIP has already provided public realm improvements to Great George Square, Upper Duke Place and Brownlow Square within the city centre.

Cllr Millea officially opened Berkley Place at a champagne reception with Riverside MP Louise Ellman.